8 Shades Of Love

Love is a strong feeling of affection or attachment. It is a feeling that keeps us together and helps us connect with other human beings. It makes us feel good about ourselves and happy around others who love us.

The Sternberg Triangular Theory of love is a five-stage love relationship model used by psychologists to describe how people are attracted to one another. The model is based on the idea that humans are social animals and that our brains release oxytocin, or the pleasure hormone when interacting with others.

Sternberg's Triangular Theory of Love is one of the best-known frameworks for defining romantic relationships.

Based on this framework, it is essential to understand the three components of love:

●     Passion

Feeling of excitement and attraction

●     Intimacy

Feeling of bonded connection and closeness with another person

●     Commitment

A desire to continue and nurture the relationship.

Sternberg states that a relationship can have a combination of several elements, and on that basis, we can determine which of the 8 types of love is present in our relationship.

8 different varieties of love based on Sternberg’s Triangular Theory of Love

Sternberg's model describes in detail the types of relationships that can exixt between friends, family, and romantic partners. Read on to find out your type of love from the list of the 8 different love types:

1.     Non-love

Non-love is a relationship where couples have emotions of affection, but not those of hatred. Exchanges with a friendly stranger, a kind official at a store, or a very competent agent who may have handled your problem may fall into this category.

 

In a loveless environment of this kind, there is no love for your partner, but there are no passionate or intimate moments. These exchanges may be comfortable, but they are neutral.

2.     Infatuated love (involves passion)

Infatuated love is usually understood in western culture as love at first sight or the emotions we may have about our favourite romantic interest. This type of love is intense, sizzling, and often all-encompassing, yet it is not very intimate or courteous and usually only remains for a short time.

3.     Romantic love (intimacy + passion)

Passionate love involves the exciting intimacy exchange with friends or partners early in the relationship. From our romantic love for another person, we catch at that stage when we are still interested in having a committed relationship but have not yet settled on the precise details.

 

Romantic love is a mental or emotional connection between two people that is disproportionate to their relationship status or background. It typically lasts for short periods and is often based on similarity, admiration, and a feeling of being in one another's company.

4.     Liking (just intimacy)

This form of love doesn't cause material or emotional commitment but reflects a feeling of closeness between friends or acquaintances.

We might find this love evident between acquaintances and friends, where we enjoy spending time with one another or others but virtually no desire to spend time or have passionate exchanges.

5.     Empty love (commitment only)

It is best described as a "boring love," where despite the two people's efforts to make their relationship and life work well, they have little passion and intimacy.

According to the Sternberg triangular love theory, empty love is a feeling of missing someone or something. Empty love can be found in relationships with little or no communication or connection between the two people.

It can also be found in relationships where one partner seems to care more about themselves than the other. There are many types of empty love, but all share a common denominator, i.e. they lack an established sense of connection and intimacy.

6.     Companionate love (commitment + intimacy)

When an intimate relationship and interdependency merge, they may give rise to companionate love. And it is a characteristic sign of friendship among couples that evolves into a lifelong relationship.

Not just for friends, weddings, or long-term couples can also experience the intimate dynamics that lead both parties to turn toward each other to support and nurture the relationship.

7.     Consummate love (commitment + intimacy + passion)

The ideal romantic relationship is often defined as a harmonious union between a man and a woman where we all feel excited and mutually attracted to one another. They feel close to one another and are dedicated to bringing the relationship to a desirable end. Sternberg's idea of the perfect union includes having all the necessary elements for the relationship to work.

Of course, we don’t need a romantic relationship to have this type of love, the only requirement being that all three components (passion, intimacy, and commitment) are present.

8.     Fatuous love (commitment + passion)

This type of love is relatively difficult to sustain because it lacks intimacy. So instead, this relationship of passion and commitment can be found in a shotgun marriage, which is a passionate marriage backed up by dedication but has little feeling attached to it.

Love is a complex emotion with many types. Sternberg's love triangle is one example of how love can be expressed differently.

If you would like to explore your particular love type, I can help you make sense of your journey of love. Please feel free to reach out. You are certainly worth it.